Kerrigan’s Second Tragedy Involves Alcohol

Nancy Kerrigan experiences another tragedy as her brother is charged in the death of her father -- and alcohol may be at least partly to blame.

When you hear the name Kerrigan, for most it brings to mind memories of Olympic excellence as well as the violent attack on figure skater Nancy orchestrated by the husband of her competitor, Tonya Harding. Now that name is tied to another violent tragedy.

In January 2010 police were called to the Kerrigan family home in Stoneham, Mass., where Nancy’s father, 70-year-old Daniel Kerrigan, was found unresponsive, according to reporting by the Boston Globe. Nancy’s troubled brother, Mark, is now facing assault charges for the alleged altercation that led to his father’s death, reportedly an alcohol-fueled argument that began over using the phone. Reportedly, Mark had been living in his parent’s basement and he and Nancy’s mother were home at the time of the incident.

According to police reports, 45-year-old Mark Kerrigan has been charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on an elderly person and causing serious bodily injury. Charges could be upgraded pending autopsy results. Cause of death has not yet been released.